September 15, 2004

Bangkok Palace

300 SW Taylor
Pad Thai

I ate here a couple years ago when Bangkok Palace first opened. My experience was unfavorably colored by the fact that they had replaced one of my favorite Pad Thai sources, and their version of the dish wasn't what I was expecting.

With a more open mind, I went again today. The lunch menu has a long list of items, each with your choice of meats, or tofu, or just veggies. I ordered my "base" Thai dish, Pad Thai. Again, it wasn't what I was expecting, but that was okay.

Instead of the peanut-based sauce served at most Portland Thai restaurants, Bangkok Palace uses a deep red, sweet, bean sauce. While it didn't satisfy that peanutty craving, it was just wonderful. Service was good (a tired wrist slopped a bit of sauce on the table, but no biggie), and because I take lunch very early, I had a quiet moment to read my newspaper and slowly enjoy my dish.

Bangkok Palace opens for lunch at 11:00am. They start getting busy by 11:30, and they are packed by noon, so plan accordingly. I'll be going back, and plan on a thorough exploration of their lunch offerings.